Concerned leaders of a Jewish primary school have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for additional security measures, as it emerges that former elite soldiers are being recruited for protection teams. All Jewish schools and synagogues across the country, particularly in North London, have heightened their security. This comes as police investigate whether a shadowy organisation linked to Iran, known as HAYI, is responsible for paying British Iranians to carry out antisemitic attacks.
Former Elite Troops Deployed
Former Royal Marines and veterans of the Parachute Regiment have been hired in the wake of recent attacks. One tennis club in the area has even employed a former special services operative to guard its players, given the large Jewish membership. The deployment of former elite troops comes after the stabbing of two Jewish men in a suspected terrorist attack in Golders Green and a series of fire bombings.
Fundraising Success at Alma School
At the Alma school, fundraising appeals have been remarkably successful, with 320 separate donations raising £43,000 of a £50,000 target. Sam Bianco, co-chair of Friends of Alma, said: “Everyone is really shaken by this incident. I am also a member of Finchley Reform Synagogue (where there was recently an attempted arson attack), so then to have this at the school where my children are is really disturbing. We just want to keep our children safe.” While stressing that current security measures are “robust and the children are safe,” Sam said the additional security is about “future-proofing the school.”
The 130 school families have already raised £43,000 since the fundraiser started, but Sam hopes the wider Jewish community will help them “get over the line.” Shimrit Sivan Peleg, her co-chair, said: “What we are seeing is not only urgency - it is the strength of a community that has been built with care, trust and open communication over time.” Sam added: “I feel so proud that we have managed to get to where we are with just 130 families, but none of us should have to be spending our time raising money for security – we should just be focusing on education.”
School’s Financial Appeal
In the school’s financial appeal, they stated: “We want to be clear: the Community Security Trust (CST) has reviewed our site and reassured us that our current security is robust. But the threat landscape is changing, and CST has advised that upgrades to our CCTV, fencing and wider physical security infrastructure are needed to future proof our school’s security. These upgrades come at a cost - one that our school simply cannot fund by itself. Statutory costs, staffing, and the day-to-day demands of running a school leave little room for capital investment of this scale. CST have indicated that they are likely to fund up to 50% of the costs for the work that needs to be done, however this leaves an estimated shortfall of approximately £50,000. We - the Friends of Alma parent body - are therefore launching an urgent campaign to ensure our school stays ahead of the threat, not behind it. We need to raise £50,000 in one week. Every pound goes directly to work that will make a real, visible difference to the safety of our whole school community.”
Broader Context and Political Response
Last week, it was revealed that some pupils had been forced to learn a “Sleeping Lions” game, in which they seek safety in classrooms and toilets in preparation for a potential terror attack. Local Labour MP Dan Tomlinson said: “The Jewish community is a fantastic asset to the UK. We must take all steps to protect it.” When asked if he supports having former paratroopers and special forces personnel joining security operations for Jews, he said: “I am very much in favour of anyone with these skills being part of the Community Security Trust, and of using these skills in protecting Jewish people and property. I support the right to protest, but we need to take action against any hate spread on marches through London and other cities. Also, the government has spoken about Iran's 'malign influence'. I am therefore very pleased the government will outlaw the IRGC in the coming session of parliament. I've been trying to get the IRGC declared a terrorist organisation since I was elected in 2024. It has killed thousands in Iran and Iran has been alleged to be behind plots in the UK and elsewhere. All this helps. But it is also key to tackle the root causes of anti-Semitism in the UK.”
Cost and Security Arrangements
Hiring former marines and Paras, the traditional recruitment pool for special forces, is costing tens of thousands and illustrates the acute level of concern at a time when police resources are also stretched. Most Jewish institutions have historically relied on volunteers or ordinary security guards. However, the Community Security Trust, which safeguards British Jews and distributes Home Office funding, has engaged a private contractor whose staff are mainly drawn from the armed forces, including elite fighting units in the Royal Navy and army. The former troops are believed to have been deployed to protect Jewish sites for a brief period after the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester in October, in which two worshippers were killed.
Government Response and Threat Level
Last Thursday, the government raised the terrorism threat level from substantial to severe, meaning another attack is “highly likely.” MI5 said there was an “elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions.” A group calling itself the Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand (or Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, Hayi) is being investigated for its links to recent alleged terror attacks. Some of the arrests made following recent arson attacks have been young men and teenagers.
